Super-Fit Japan Aim High at Rugby Wcup
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42 Friday Sports Friday, August 30, 2019 ‘Moment of truth’: Super-fit Japan aim high at Rugby WCup TOKYO: Japan coach Jamie Joseph promised the also gives Japan a timely lift as they look to go hosts would “give 150 percent” to hit their target one further than at the last World Cup. of reaching the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals “We were incredibly relieved he got through after naming his 31-man squad yesterday. the Pacific Nations,” said Joseph. The Brave Blossoms will be at full strength “He’s got a separation of the pelvis which when they face Russia in the tournament’s cur- hasn’t gone away — he’s just battling through it. tain-raiser in Tokyo on September 20 after tal- Most days he’s in a level of pain he’s not used to ismanic captain Michael Leitch returned from but he’s a tough guy.” injury at the recent Pacific Nations Cup. Joseph has consistently been compared to his “The team has set a goal of making the top predecessor Jones since taking over from the eight for the first time in the history of Japanese Australian. But the 49-year-old warned that rugby,” Joseph told reporters. Japan, once the whipping boys of the Rugby “The staff and players will give 150 percent World Cup, could no longer fly under the radar — we’re under no illusions how difficult that is after their shock over South Africa four years but it’s definitely our goal. The moment of truth ago. “I’m not sure we can sneak up on a team will be upon us shortly.” “Our game is based anymore,” smiled Joseph, who selected 15 for- around speed, skill and structure,” added the eign-born players among his World Cup squad. former All Black, whose team limbers up for the “There’s a reputation now that the Japanese World Cup with a “must-perform” Test against play a good brand of rugby.” two-time champions South Africa next week. “I’m a different bloke than Eddie,” said Joseph. “But the key difference this year is we are fit “Eddie was a great coach for Japan and is for enough now to play that game. We’re training at England but he’s been very generous sharing his a level of intensity that’s 25 percent higher than knowledge with me — he still has a soft spot for our matches — I think that’s our key weapon.” Japan.” Joseph insisted Japan would fear no team Japan famously won three games at the 2015 at the World Cup. “I believe we have improved,” World Cup under Eddie Jones, including an as- he said. “When I arrived in Japan the question tonishing 34-32 victory over the Springboks. was thrown at me how I could take the team to TOKYO: Japan’s national rugby team head coach Jamie Joseph (R) explains his message “One Team” in the Currently ranked ninth in the world after cap- the next level after the success Eddie had. guest book during a press conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo yesterday after announce- turing their third Pacific Nations title, the Japan- “Four years later we have played every tier- ment of the 31-man squad for the Rugby World Cup. Joseph promised the hosts would “give 150 percent” ese also take on Ireland, Scotland and Samoa in one team and had four seasons of Super Rugby,” to hit their target of reaching the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals after naming his 31-man squad. — AFP Pool A as they target a place in the knockout he added, noting how his side’s “winning men- stage for the first time. tality” and home advantage would make Japan a won, Isileli Nakajima, Asaeli Ai Valu, Backs (13) They will be boosted by their success at the dangerous proposition. “That’s helped toughen Takuya Kitade, Atsushi Sakata, Shota Kaito Shigeno, Fumiaki Tanaka, Yutaka Pacific Nations, where they beat Fiji (34-21), up the players. I can confidently say we are one Horie, Luke Thompson, Wimpie van der Nagare, Yu Tamura, Rikiya Matsuda, Kenki Tonga (41-7) and the United States (34-20). team as we go into the World Cup.” Walt, Uwe Helu, James Moore, Hendrik Fukuoka, Ataata Moeakiola, Lomano Lemeki, Tui, Yoshitaka Tokunaga, Michael Leitch William Tupou, Ryoto Nakamura, Timothy PAIN BARRIER Forwards (18) (captain), Pieter Labuschagne, Kazuki Hi- Lafaele, Kotaro Matsushima, Ryohei Ya- Leitch’s return from a lengthy injury lay-off Keita Inagaki, Yusuke Kizu, Koo Ji- meno, Amanaki Mafi manaka. — AFP rankings, before the New Zealander steps down after Uncapped duo to Japan 2019. “It is a great opportunity for Rhys and Owen,” said Smith returns to action for make Wales debuts Gatland after announcing his team yesterday. “They have worked hard all summer to get to this point, so it Australia against Derbyshire will be good for them to get their first international in Ireland World caps and put their hands up for RWC (Rugby World DERBY: Steve Smith was back fixture in Derby unscathed. Cup) selection after the match.” playing in his first match since There was a worrying moment Cup warm-up The former Ireland coach added: “For Josh, it’s a being concussed by England fast for Smith early Thursday when a huge honour to be named captain. He has been hugely bowler Jofra Archer as Australia ball landed just short of him at consistent for us, he has really impressed in the last faced Derbyshire yesterday. second slip and hit him a painful CARDIFF: The uncapped duo of wing Owen Lane and couple of seasons and he will lead from the front on But with Derbyshire captain blow on the hand but the star prop Rhys Carre are set to make their Wales debuts Saturday. Billy Godleman deciding to bat batsman shook off the injury. after being named in the starting side to play Ireland “There is so much at stake in terms of RWC selec- after winning the toss, Smith had to Smith also bowled the last in a World Cup warm-up match in Cardiff tomorrow. tion and — with a number of positions still up for wait for his first innings since being over before lunch, with the occa- Wales coach Warren Gatland has made 14 grabs — it will be a huge game.” hit on his unprotected neck during sional spinner’s warm-up delivery changes to the team that beat England 13-6 at the Victory over Ireland would give Wales a 12th suc- the drawn second Test at Lord’s. sailing yards wide before he Principality Stadium on August 17, with Cardiff cessive home win. They have not lost in Cardiff since Smith, felled by a 92 mph Archer started the over proper with a Blues back-row Josh Navidi captaining his country November 2017. Meanwhile Ireland will come into the bouncer, was ruled out of the rest of friendly full toss. for the first time. match on the back of a record 57-15 thrashing by Eng- that match — with concussion sub- Derbyshire were 71-3 at lunch, Full-back Hallam Amos, centre Scott Williams, land at Twickenham last weekend. stitute Marnus Labuschagne taking with fast bowler Michael Neser, fly-half Jarrod Evans and hooker Ryan Elias have his place — and his injury meant he not expected to make a Test debut also missed England’s dramatic next week, taking all the wickets to all been given a chance to prove their worth ahead Wales (15-1) one-wicket win in the third Test at fall in a spell of 3-20 from seven of Gatland announcing his 31-man World Cup Hallam Amos; Owen Lane, Scott Williams, Owen Headingley that levelled the five- overs. Smith, 30, marked his re- squad on Sunday. Watkin, Steff Evans; Jarrod Evans, Aled Davies; Josh match Ashes series at 1-1. turn to Test cricket following a The 21-year-old Carre is regarded as one of the Navidi (capt), James Davies, Aaron Shingler; But star batsman Smith is set 12-month ban that cost him the most promising young platers in the game and was Bradley Davies, Adam Beard; Samson Lee, Ryan to make his Test comeback in Australia captaincy with scores signed by English and European champions Saracens Elias, Rhys Carre next week’s fourth Ashes match of 144 and 142 during Australia’s from Cardiff earlier this year. Replacements: Elliot Dee, Rob Evans, Leon Brown, at Old Trafford provided he 251-run win in the series opener Tomorrow’s match will be Gatland’s last home Jake Ball, Ross Moriarty, Tomos Williams, Rhys comes through this three-day at Edgbaston. — AFP match in charge of Wales, now top of the World Rugby Patchell, Jonah Holmes. — AFP.